A selection of some of the best pictures taken this week by photographers of the Times of Malta.

Pardoned oil trader George Farrugia testifies before the Public Accounts Committee, which is investigating the oil procurement scandal on December 11. Photo: Jason BorgPardoned oil trader George Farrugia testifies before the Public Accounts Committee, which is investigating the oil procurement scandal on December 11. Photo: Jason Borg

Former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone (L) speaks to his lawyer Henri Mizzi during the Public Accounts Committee hearing on the oil procurement scandal on December 11. Photo: Jason BorgFormer Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone (L) speaks to his lawyer Henri Mizzi during the Public Accounts Committee hearing on the oil procurement scandal on December 11. Photo: Jason Borg

To illustrate a point that it was a government gift to the Labour Party, a group of Nationalist youngsters tied a red ribbon around Australia Hall in Pembroke on December 6. Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaTo illustrate a point that it was a government gift to the Labour Party, a group of Nationalist youngsters tied a red ribbon around Australia Hall in Pembroke on December 6. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Protesters calling on the Maltese government to focus on tangible environmental measures instead of focusing solely on development march through Valletta on December 7. Several hundred people from twelve environment NGOs and the public protested against the proposal of several new laws, which will destroy Malta's unique island profile and spread construction through its ever-shrinking rural areas and on its coast, according to the organisers. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiProtesters calling on the Maltese government to focus on tangible environmental measures instead of focusing solely on development march through Valletta on December 7. Several hundred people from twelve environment NGOs and the public protested against the proposal of several new laws, which will destroy Malta's unique island profile and spread construction through its ever-shrinking rural areas and on its coast, according to the organisers. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A girl takes part in a protest calling on the Maltese government to focus on tangible environmental measures instead of focusing solely on development, in Valletta on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA girl takes part in a protest calling on the Maltese government to focus on tangible environmental measures instead of focusing solely on development, in Valletta on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Protestors carrying umbrellas with the words “A Better Environment for our Children” listen to speeches outside the law courts during a protest calling on the Maltese government to focus on tangible environmental measures instead of focusing solely on development, in Valletta on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiProtestors carrying umbrellas with the words “A Better Environment for our Children” listen to speeches outside the law courts during a protest calling on the Maltese government to focus on tangible environmental measures instead of focusing solely on development, in Valletta on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A woman takes part in a protest calling on the Maltese government to focus on tangible environmental measures instead of focusing solely on development, in Valletta on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA woman takes part in a protest calling on the Maltese government to focus on tangible environmental measures instead of focusing solely on development, in Valletta on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Six-year-old Fateh, a Syrian boy who lost his parents, his sister and his brother in the boat tragedy off Lampedusa two months ago, is reunited with his uncle Maaruuf Alsaid Mahmoud who arrived in Malta on December 5. Photo: Jason BorgSix-year-old Fateh, a Syrian boy who lost his parents, his sister and his brother in the boat tragedy off Lampedusa two months ago, is reunited with his uncle Maaruuf Alsaid Mahmoud who arrived in Malta on December 5. Photo: Jason Borg

The new staircase on one side of the entrance to Valletta has been opened to the public as architect Renzo Piano’s City Gate project creeps towards completion on December 9. Photo: Chris Sant FournierThe new staircase on one side of the entrance to Valletta has been opened to the public as architect Renzo Piano’s City Gate project creeps towards completion on December 9. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The new staircase on one side of the entrance to Valletta has been opened to the public as architect Renzo Piano’s City Gate project creeps towards completion on December 9. Photo: Chris Sant FournierThe new staircase on one side of the entrance to Valletta has been opened to the public as architect Renzo Piano’s City Gate project creeps towards completion on December 9. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

A man and his dog make use of the new staircase on one side of the entrance to Valletta on December 9. The staircase was opened to the public as architect Renzo Piano’s City Gate project creeps towards completion. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA man and his dog make use of the new staircase on one side of the entrance to Valletta on December 9. The staircase was opened to the public as architect Renzo Piano’s City Gate project creeps towards completion. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The staircase on one side of the entrance to Valletta is lit up after being opened public on December 9. The staircase is part of architect Renzo Piano’s City Gate. Photo: Matthew MirabelliThe staircase on one side of the entrance to Valletta is lit up after being opened public on December 9. The staircase is part of architect Renzo Piano’s City Gate. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A break-dancer performs at St George’s Square, Valletta, in one of a series of activities organised by the European Commission in a Youth On The Move event on December 6. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA break-dancer performs at St George’s Square, Valletta, in one of a series of activities organised by the European Commission in a Youth On The Move event on December 6. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A dancer support his body weight on one hand during a European Commission activity at St George’s Square in Valletta on December 6. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA dancer support his body weight on one hand during a European Commission activity at St George’s Square in Valletta on December 6. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A graduate with a whistle in her mouth walks past a graffiti artist in Valletta's St George’s Square on December 6. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA graduate with a whistle in her mouth walks past a graffiti artist in Valletta's St George’s Square on December 6. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A graffiti artist displays his skills at an event organised by the European Commission at St George’s Square in Valletta on December 6. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA graffiti artist displays his skills at an event organised by the European Commission at St George’s Square in Valletta on December 6. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

This beautiful Dodge was one of more than 1,000 vehicles which filled the grounds of the Malta International Airport and Lufthansa Technik as part of the eighth Paqpaqli għall-Istrina on December 8. Photo: Jason Borg.This beautiful Dodge was one of more than 1,000 vehicles which filled the grounds of the Malta International Airport and Lufthansa Technik as part of the eighth Paqpaqli għall-Istrina on December 8. Photo: Jason Borg.

A tiger cub crawls away from its mother in a cage at the Viviana Orfei Circus of Italy on Manoel Island on December 11. Six tiger cubs were born while the circus was travelling to Malta, which is expected to introduce a ban on animal circuses from 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA tiger cub crawls away from its mother in a cage at the Viviana Orfei Circus of Italy on Manoel Island on December 11. Six tiger cubs were born while the circus was travelling to Malta, which is expected to introduce a ban on animal circuses from 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A tiger picks up its newborn cub in its mouth in a cage at the Viviana Orfei Circus of Italy on Manoel Island on December 11. Six tiger cubs were born while the circus was travelling to Malta, which is expected to introduce a ban on animal circuses from 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA tiger picks up its newborn cub in its mouth in a cage at the Viviana Orfei Circus of Italy on Manoel Island on December 11. Six tiger cubs were born while the circus was travelling to Malta, which is expected to introduce a ban on animal circuses from 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Workers set up a metal frame globe structure to be used for motorbike stunts during a circus show at the Viviana Orfei Circus of Italy on Manoel Island on December 11. Malta is expected to introduce a ban on animal circuses from 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiWorkers set up a metal frame globe structure to be used for motorbike stunts during a circus show at the Viviana Orfei Circus of Italy on Manoel Island on December 11. Malta is expected to introduce a ban on animal circuses from 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Graduates attend their graduation ceremony at the University of Malta on December 9. Photo: Chris Sant FournierGraduates attend their graduation ceremony at the University of Malta on December 9. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Children sing Christmas carols in St Anne Square in Sliema on December 5. Photo: Chris Sant FournierChildren sing Christmas carols in St Anne Square in Sliema on December 5. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Malta's President George Abela (rear 3rd R, wearing tie) looks at participants wearing Santa Claus hats jumping into the sea to take part in a charity swim at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana on December 7. Several people braved the cold weather to take part in the aptly-named "Santa's Swim" to raise funds for L-Istrina, the Christmas national fundraising event in aid of the President's Community Chest Fund. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMalta's President George Abela (rear 3rd R, wearing tie) looks at participants wearing Santa Claus hats jumping into the sea to take part in a charity swim at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana on December 7. Several people braved the cold weather to take part in the aptly-named "Santa's Swim" to raise funds for L-Istrina, the Christmas national fundraising event in aid of the President's Community Chest Fund. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Participants and Labradors take part in a charity swim at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana on December 7. Several people braved the cold weather to take part in the aptly-named "Santa's Swim" to raise funds for L-Istrina, the Christmas national fundraising event in aid of the President's Community Chest Fund. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiParticipants and Labradors take part in a charity swim at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana on December 7. Several people braved the cold weather to take part in the aptly-named "Santa's Swim" to raise funds for L-Istrina, the Christmas national fundraising event in aid of the President's Community Chest Fund. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Participants in the aptly named “Santa’s Swim” laugh while trying to take a selfie during the charity swim at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana on December 7. Several people braved the cold weather to raise funds for L-Istrina, the Christmas national fundraising event in aid of the President's Community Chest Fund. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiParticipants in the aptly named “Santa’s Swim” laugh while trying to take a selfie during the charity swim at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana on December 7. Several people braved the cold weather to raise funds for L-Istrina, the Christmas national fundraising event in aid of the President's Community Chest Fund. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A man admires the cribs on display at St Francis Church Annexe, Valletta on December 10. Organised by the the Friends of the Crib Society, the exhibition is an annual event displaying cribs by the members. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA man admires the cribs on display at St Francis Church Annexe, Valletta on December 10. Organised by the the Friends of the Crib Society, the exhibition is an annual event displaying cribs by the members. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A plane leaves contrails as it flies over Malta at dusk on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA plane leaves contrails as it flies over Malta at dusk on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

An Air Malta jet makes its final approach to land, flying past the Ta'Qali National Stadium floodlights on December 8. Photo: Matthew MirabelliAn Air Malta jet makes its final approach to land, flying past the Ta'Qali National Stadium floodlights on December 8. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Valletta’s Edmond Agius celebrates after scoring a goal by getting his boots polished by a photographer and then pushing him over at Ta’ Qali National Stadium on December 8. Photo: Matthew MirabelliValletta’s Edmond Agius celebrates after scoring a goal by getting his boots polished by a photographer and then pushing him over at Ta’ Qali National Stadium on December 8. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Valletta’s Denni Rocha dos Santos makes his way through Floriana duo Darrell Baldacchino (L) and Ibok Edet before scoring Valletta’s opener at Ta'Qali National Stadium on December 8. Photo: Matthew MirabelliValletta’s Denni Rocha dos Santos makes his way through Floriana duo Darrell Baldacchino (L) and Ibok Edet before scoring Valletta’s opener at Ta'Qali National Stadium on December 8. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Valletta’s Abdelkarim Nafti lands on his back after attempting a cross kick in their Premier League derby against Floriana on December 8. Photo: Matthew MirabelliValletta’s Abdelkarim Nafti lands on his back after attempting a cross kick in their Premier League derby against Floriana on December 8. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Hibernians duo Luis Edison (L) and Jean Paul Farrugia (2nd R) try to anticipate Vittoriosa Stars goalkeeper Sean Cini during their Premier League match at Tedesco Stadium on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiHibernians duo Luis Edison (L) and Jean Paul Farrugia (2nd R) try to anticipate Vittoriosa Stars goalkeeper Sean Cini during their Premier League match at Tedesco Stadium on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Naxxar Lions’ Pablo Doffo (L) clears the ball as Sliema Wanderers’ Ivan Woods looks on during their Premier League match at Hibs Stadium on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiNaxxar Lions’ Pablo Doffo (L) clears the ball as Sliema Wanderers’ Ivan Woods looks on during their Premier League match at Hibs Stadium on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Naxxar Lions’ Thiago Lopes (R) clears the ball away from Sliema Wanderers’ Ivan Woods during their Premier League match at Hibs Stadium on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiNaxxar Lions’ Thiago Lopes (R) clears the ball away from Sliema Wanderers’ Ivan Woods during their Premier League match at Hibs Stadium on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Birkirkara’s Rowen Muscat heads the ball during their Premier League match against Balzan at Hibs Stadium on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiBirkirkara’s Rowen Muscat heads the ball during their Premier League match against Balzan at Hibs Stadium on December 7. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

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